Dahlia tubers?

[CJS]

Hi people, sorry not been around much recently, life getting into the garden has been hard.

Any way, finally got out yesterday to tidy up before the frost and snow starts A have a few bedding Dahlias around the little bit of garden by the patio doors I keep for flowers. They were grown from seed, friend gave them to me. Well, when I dug them up, the size of the tubers!! GQT suggests keeping them in almost dry compost over winter, said they will grow on better next year.

My question, I seem to remember my Father cutting larger tuber clusters in half? Is this practical, if so, do I cut them now or when I replant next year . . . or have I just dreamed the whole idea up??
CJS

[Geoff]

I cut the shoots to a couple of inches, knock off as much soil as I can then turn them upside down to dry; if you haven't done it before you'll be surprised how much liquid runs out. As they dry, mine are in the greenhouse at the moment, I poke off most of the soil. When I think there is going to be enough frost to penetrate the greenhouse I move them to our garage that is integral with the house and has the boiler in it so is dark and frost free, anywhere similar will do. Although normal advice is put them in dry compost as long as storage is cool they are fine just kept in trays upside down. The best plants are from cuttings so I start them into growth in the Spring then take cuttings. If you don't want to bother but want more plants I suppose you could start them into growth then divide them before planting out.

[CJS]

I cut the shoots to a couple of inches, knock off as much soil as I can then turn them upside down to dry; if you haven't done it before you'll be surprised how much liquid runs out. As they dry, mine are in the greenhouse at the moment, I poke off most of the soil. When I think there is going to be enough frost to penetrate the greenhouse I move them to our garage that is integral with the house and has the boiler in it so is dark and frost free, anywhere similar will do. Although normal advice is put them in dry compost as long as storage is cool they are fine just kept in trays upside down. The best plants are from cuttings so I start them into growth in the Spring then take cuttings. If you don't want to bother but want more plants I suppose you could start them into growth then divide them before planting out.

Thanks Geoff, sorry, bit of a numpty, how does one take a dahlia cutting?
CJS

[Geoff]

I could describe it but why re-invent the wheel, here are couple of links that describe it:
http://www.jrg-dahlias.co.uk/new_page_3.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/t ... ias1.shtml

[CJS]

I could describe it but why re-invent the wheel, here are couple of links that describe it:
http://www.jrg-dahlias.co.uk/new_page_3.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/t ... ias1.shtml

Thanks once again Geoff.
CJS